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Fortune, working with the Great Place to Work Institute, surveyed more than 252,000 employees at 257 U.S. companies for this year's rankings. The employees represented a random sample of workers at each company; they were asked about management, colleagues and job satisfaction. Also taken into account: pay, benefits, hiring practices, internal communications methods, diversity and training.

Only companies that employ more than 1,000 U.S. workers are eligible; the companies also need to be at least 5 years old. Google topped the list.